COLLISON: FOOTBALL HELPS ME FORGET
JACK COLLISON has revealed how his love of football helped him overcome the loss of his father.
The midfielder, 21, has shown immense bravery since his dad Ian died in a motorbike accident on his way to watch him play in August.
But Collinson, who is set to start against Everton at Upton Park today and will sign a new five- year deal with the club next week, says he is just grateful for the chance to forget about things when he pulls on the claret and blue.
He said: "Football has been a wonderful release for me.
"I love being out there and it's a chance to get away from everything that has been going on off the pitch.
"For me, I'm just hoping to keep on playing football and doing well for West Ham.
"I really feel part of the team at the moment. Last season, I was coming off the bench and fairly unknown.
"But I established myself last year before picking up a little injury. Now I want to kick on this season and get back to where I was.
"I'm just loving playing football and that helps me through."
The Hammers will be without the injured Carlton Cole the clash with Everton but Collison reckons new kid on the block Zavon Hines is more than capable of stepping up to the plate.
Collison added: "Coley has been massive for us this season. Not just his goals but also his all round game so he will be a big miss.
"But Zavon came off the bench against Villa and was outstanding. He turned the game on its head when he won the penalty and then scored the winner.
"If we are missing Coley then we've got players to come in and do a job.
"Zavon has been brilliant. He has been superb this season, coming off the bench and changing games.
"Hopefully he will get a few more games now and he can show what he's all about.
"We all know what he can do from training with him everyday but it's up to him to show what he can do."
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